Fruit pitting and spreading machine



1 (No Model.) Q 2 Sheets-=Shee't 1 J. HARRISON. FRUIT FITTING ANDSPREADING MACHINE- No. 575,886. Patented Jan. 26, 1397 2 cu. PHoTuumo"waswmcqnu. u r- UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

JAMES HARRISON, OF VAOAVILLE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO JAMEST. FOSTER, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

FRUIT PITTING AND SPREADING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 575,886, dated January26, 1897. Application filed March 16, 1896. Serial No. 583,310, (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may conce n: rocation to alternately free and close theBe it known that I, JAMES HARRISON, a citichu tes. They reciprocatealternately and are zen of the United States, residing at Vacaoperatedby means of a rock-shaft f, Figs. 2 ville, county of Solano, State ofCalifornia, and 4, having cranks f, connected with tilt- 5 have inventedan Improvement in Fruit Piting rods f which are flexibly connected byting and Spreading Machines; and I hereby links f with the gates. Theshaft f is rocked declare the following to be a full, clear, and by aconnecting-rod f engaging a lever f exact description of the same. on amain shaft G below.

Myinvention relates to the class of machines The connection between therod f 4 and the IO for removingthe pits or stones from fruit and lever fis preferably an adjustable one, as dividing and spreading the dividedfruit on shown by the notches f in Fig. 1,'whereby trays preparatory todrying. the length of communicated stroke may be My invention consistsin the novel feeding varied. Thus a fruit being supplied to chutemechanism, the means for pitting, dividing, E is allowed to pass down bygravity by the l 5 and separating the divided fruit, the means loweringof the first gate F and is stopped by for receiving and advancing thedivided secthe rising of the second gate F, and then it tions of fruitand spreading them upon the is allowed to advance again by the loweringtrays, the means for advancing the trays, and of said second gate, whilea succeeding one is other details of construction, arrangement, stoppedby the rising of the first gate, and 20 and combination which I shallhereinafter thus the fruit is successively fed to the sockfullydescribe. eted seats D The purpose and object of mak- The object of myinvention is to provide a ing the chutes V-shaped are to hold the fruitsimple, practical, and effective machine for in proper upright positionwith its seam up,

pitting and spreading fruit. and so guide it down in this position tothe 2 5. Referring to the accompanying drawings, seats D.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine. II are fixed guide-rods,Fig. 4, on which is Fig. 2 is a top view showing the feedingfitted andadapted to slide verticallya crosschutes, the socketed fruit-seats, andthe shakplate I, which is raised and lowered by means ingreceiving-table. Fig. 3 is a top view of of pitmen 1,, extending fromwrist-pins 2" on 0 the tray-feeding mechanisun Fig. 4is anelecrank-disks 1? on the main shaft G below.

vation taken from the head of the machine. To the under side of thiscross-plate are se- Fig. 5 is a side view and section of the opercuredthe-splitting and pitting knives J, Figs.

ating-knives and fruit-sockets. Fig. 6 is a l, 4, and 5. These, as seenin Fig. 5, have section of the fruit-socket. the usual concave faceswith central depres- 3 5 A is a frame, from the head of which risesions, and they lie immediately above the standards B, preferably set atan inclination, slitted fruit -seats and are adapted, when as shown.Upon these standards is supported brought down upon the fruit, to cutits flesh a cross-bar O, in which are the socketed fruitall around tothe pit and to force said pit seats D, as best shown in Fig. 2, saidseats down through the perforated seats D, said o 0 consisting of theusual perforated and slitted pits being supposed to be properly disposedcushion-blocks d, as shown clearly in Figs. 2, of below.

5, and 6. There may be as many of these Secured to'the uppersurface ofcross-plate seats as desired, and for the purpose of illus- I arebrackets K, Fig. 1, to each end of which tration I have here shown two.is rigidly secured a cam-plate L, Fig. 4, in 5 45 Secured to the bar 0are the feed-chutes E, the depending arms 1 of which are made di- Figs.1 and 2, and these are V-shaped, as seen vergent cam-grooves Z. Fittedand adapted in Fig. 4. They are inclined and lead down to slide in thesecam-grooves are the end pins to the bar, so that the fruit will bedelivered or pivots m of the auxiliary or separating to the sockets D.In these chutes are the conknives M, Figs. 1, 4, and 5. There are twoI00 50 trolling-gates F, passing up through the botof these to each mainknife J as is best seen tomsof the chutes and adapted by their recipinFig. 4, one being on each side and lying at an angle to said knives J,with their inner edges normally close thereto.

Rising from the center of the cross-plate I is a fixed guide-rod 2' onwhich is fitted and adapted to slide a sleeve N, having rack-teeth n onits side, Fig. 4. A spring 11 holds this sleeve normally in an elevatedposition. Secured to the top of this rack-sleeve is a crossbar a, Fig.1, which carries at each end a bar 12 Fig. 4, and from the extremitiesof these bars depend rods n Figs. 1 and 4, which pass down throughsuitable guides and have their lower extremities connected withcross-feet 11*, Fig. 4, from which extend pivoted links a to shortcrank-lugs m on the pivots or pins m of the auxiliary or separatingknives M.

Rising from one of the brackets K are bearings k, in which is journaleda shaft 0, carryin g a segment-gear 0, meshing with the racksleeve N,Fig. 4. This segment-gear has a lever-arm o, to which is attached anuprising rod P, passing freely up through a cross-yoke h, extendingbetween the tops of the guiderods H, Fig. 4, said rod P having a stopnut or collar 1) above the cross-yoke.

The operation of this mechanism is as follows: The fruit being in itsseat, the crossplate I moves dowrncarrying with it the knives J and theknives M with all the operating mechanism of thelatter. During thismovement the knives M are in the position of Fig. 4 and are so held bythe spring "6 The knives J now encounter and split the fruit and forcethe pit down, and the knives M enter the split top of the fruit. But nowthe. stop-collar p on top of rod P contacts with the cross-yoke h, andthis causes a downward movement of the segment-gear 0, which thus forcesthe rack-sleeve N down, so that said sleeve now has an additional andindependent downward movement. The sleeve carries down its top bars atand n and the rods a also, and these latter, through the crossfeet of,links 11 and crank-lugs m, force the auxiliary knives M down and at thesame time turn them on their end pins 111, so that said knives move ondown farther in the fruit and also spread outwardly, thereby separatingthe divided sections of the fruit and laying or spreading them out ontheir backs. As the cross-plate I moves up the spring 2* returns theparts to normal position ready for a repetition of the operation.

The stop 19 being a nut may be adjusted to vary the stroke of theauxiliary knives.

Q is the inclined receiving and advancing table. At its lower end it issupported upon a lug q, adapted to slide lengthwise in a guide q, risingfrom the frame A, Figs. 1 and 2. Near its upper end it has fitted to itsunder side a grooved bearin g (1 the groove in which is oblong, Fig. 2,and extends in the direction of the width of the table. Into this groovefits a crank-pin r on the top of a shaft R, motion to which is impartedby means of a belt a",

. thereon.

extending from a cone-pulley r Figs. 2 and 4, on a counter-shaft 0- towhich revolution is imparted by means of suitable belting and pulleys(shown clearly in Fig. 1) from the main shaft G. The cone-pulley r isadapted to be adjusted upon its shaft by means of the lever 7', (shownin Fig. 2,) whereby the motion transmitted to the table Q may be variedto suit the circumstances. The upper end of the table, as seen in Figs.1 and 2, overlaps the bar 0, in which the socketed fruit-seats D arelocated, and said table is cut out, as shown in Fig. 2, sufficiently toexpose said seats and yet be near enough on each side of them to receivethe fruit therefrom as its sections are laid or spread open by theknives M.

The shaking movement imparted to the table by the crank-pin r is, onaccount of the oblong slot in bearing g and its transverse direction,more of a' longitudinal than a side shake, especially in view of thearrangement of the lower support q, and this movement serves to advancethe separated fruit-sections down the inclined table to the lower end,from which they are discharged and spread out upon the trays S. Thesetrays are seated and adapted to be moved along in suitable guides in theframe A, being introduced from the rear end and pushed along against oneanother. There may be either a hand or an automatic feed of the trays.Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be seen that there is arrangedalongside of and adapted to be moved into frictional contact with thetray a clutch-plate T, the shank or stem 25 of which passes freelythrough a sliding block 25 in a guide F. To the projecting outer end ofthe stem is connected a pivoted lever i to the other extremity of whichis connected a link i, to which is attached a connecting-rod This rod ispivoted to a lug t on a swinging handle t On this handle is a nut iadjustable vertically Now by drawing forwardly on this handle, that isto say, to the left in the drawings, the clutch-plate T will be forcedinto frictional contact with the side of tray S, and

at the same time it will be drawn forwardly with the sliding block i,and thus the tray will be advanced. It willbe understood that similarclutch mechanism will be on the opposite side of the tray and operatingin unison with that illustrated, and to make this better understood Ihave shown in Fig. 3 in dotted lines a shaft t, which extends betweenand continues the pivotal or rocking centers of the handles t on eachside. By adjusting the nut 25 up or down the length of stroke inipartedto the clutch-plate may be varied when this mechanism is renderedautomatic, by the use of a shaft V, Fig. 1, which may be driven from themain shaft, and from a crank-wheel u on this shaft a connecting-rod itextends to the nut i The surface of the table Q may be divided intoparallel channels for the fruit or-it may be plain, as here shown.

The entire operation of the machine, briefly stated, is this: The fruitis supplied right the combination of knives for severing the side up byhand to the feed-chutes E. Down this it slides by gravity, still beingkept right side up by the V shape of the chutes and controlled by thealternately-reciproeating gates F, and is delivered in proper positionto the socketed seats I). The knives J and M descend, the former cuttingthe fruit and forcing the pits out and the latter separating and layingthe sections of fruit out on their backs on the head of the shakingtable Q. Down the inclined table, assisted by the shake, they slide andare delivered to and spread out upon the constantly-advancing trays.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In afruit pit-ting and spreading machine, the combination of avertically-reciprocating knife for severing the fruit and forcing itspit out, a pair of auxiliary knives converging downwardly and movablewith the main knife and adapted to enter the fruit from above, and meansengaging the upper portions of the auxiliary knives for separating thelower edges thereof, whereby the fruit is opened from its top downwardand the sections laid on their backs.

2. In a fruit pitting and spreading machine, the combination, of areciprocating knife to sever the fruit and force out its pit, a pair ofdownwardly-converging pivotally-hung auxiliary cutters whose lower edgesare adapted to enter, from above, the cut made by the main knife, cranksat the upper portions of the auxiliary knives, and means engaging saidcranks and turning the auxiliary knives about their pivots whereby theirlower edges separate and force the severed sections apart, and lay themon their backs, and means for advancing the sections to the trays.

In a fruit pitting and spreading machine having means for severing thefruit and forcing out its pit, a pair of auxiliary cutters operatingwith the main cutter, converging downwardly and having cranked upperends, and means engaging said upper ends to cause the lower edges of thecutters to separate after they have entered the cut made by the mainknife and thereby lay the severed sections on their backs.

4. In a fruitpittin g and spreading machine having a knife or cutter forsevering the fruit and forcing out its pit, a pair of convergingauxiliary knives pivotally hung above the fruit, one on each side of themain knife or cutter, and means for engaging the auxiliaryv knives orcutters at points above their pivots whereby their opposite orconverging edges are caused to separate in opposite directions and forcethe sections apart and lay them on their backs.

5. In a fruit pitting and spreading machine,

fruit and forcing its pit out, a pair of converging, pivotally-hungauxiliary knives or cutters and mechanism engaging their upper ends tocause-them to rock on their pivots and 1 at their upper portions, meansengaging the auxiliary knives above their pivots whereby they rock aboutsaid pivots and separate at their lower ends, for laying the severedsections on their backs, an inclined shaking table adapted to receivethe laid-out severed sections of the fruit and advance them, and aseries of advancing trays adapted to receive said sections from theinclined table.

7. In a fruit pittingand spreading machine, the combination of asuitable seat to receive the fruit, a vertically-reciprocating knife forsevering the flesh of the fruit and forcing its pit out,oppositely-inclined auxiliary knives pivotally secured at their upperends and arranged one on each side of the splitting-knife, and meansengaging the auxiliary knives above their pivots for causing saidauxiliary knives to enter the split fruit and separate outwardly awayfrom the splitting-knife,'in order to lay out the severed sections ofthe fruit upon their backs.

8. In a fruit pitting and spreading machine, the combination of asuitable seat for the fruit, a vertically-reciprocating knife forsplitting the fruit and forcing its pit out, the inclined auxiliaryknives on each side of the splitting-knife, and a means for operatingsaid auxiliary knives to cause them to enter the fruit and separatetherein, consisting of cam-slots in which said auxiliary knives play andare pivoted, and devices for moving said knives in said cam-slots.

9. In afruit pittingand spreading machine, the combination of suitableseats for receiving the fruit, a vertically-movable plate, asplitting-knife carried thereby for severing the fruit and forcing itspit out, plates carried by the vertically-movable plate and havingcam-grooves therein, auxiliary knives on each side of thesplitting-knife and pivoted and playing in said cam-grooves, and themeans for operating said auxiliary knives consisting of a framework withdepending rods connected with the pivots of said auxil iary knives, aspring for normally holding said framework up, a rack-sleeve carryingsaid framework, a segmental gear engaging with said rack-sleeve and arod connected with the segmental gear and adapted to be stopped by afixed bar as the main carryingplate moves down, whereby motion iscommunicated through the segmental gear and rack-sleeve to force theauxiliary knives down in their cam-slots whereby they are moved into thefruit and then separated to lay out its sections.

10. In a fruit pitting and spreading machine, the combination of a barhaving suitable fruit-receiving seats, a cross-plate vertically movableabove said bar, a main shaft and connections for reciprocating saidplate, a splitting and pit-forcing knife carried by the plate andoperating over the fruit whereby the fruit is severed and its pit drivenout, plates fixed to said vertically-movable plate and havingcam-grooves therein, auxiliary knives on each side of thesplitting-knife and pivoted and playing in said cam-grooves, and themeans for operating said auxiliary knives consisting of a framework withdepending rods connected with the pivots of said auxiliary knives, aspring for normally holding said framework up, a rack-sleeve carryingsaid framework, a segmental gear engaging with said rack-sleeve and arod connected with the segmental gear and adapted to be stopped by afixed bar as the main carryingplate moves down whereby motion iscommunicated through the segmental gear and racksleeve to force theauxiliary knives down in their cam-slots, whereby they are moved intothe fruit andthen separated to lay out its sections.

11. In a fruit pitting and spreading machine, the means for advancingthe trays consisting of a clutch-plate at the side of the tray, having ashank, a sliding block in which said shank is carried and adapted toslide, a pivoted lever connected with said shank and adapted to forceinwardly and to withdraw the clutch-plate, and connections for operatingsaid lever.

12. In a fruit pitting and spreading machine, the means for advancingthe trays consisting of a clutch-plate at the side of the tray, having ashank, a sliding block in which said shank is carried and adapted toslide, a piv-' oted lever connected with said shank and adapted to forceinwardly and to withdraw the clutch-plate and connections for operatingsaid lever, consisting of a swinging handle and a connecting-rodtherefrom to said lever.

13. In a fruit pitting and spreading machine, the means for advancingthe trays consisting of a clutch-plate at the side of the tray, having ashank, a sliding block in which said shank is carried and adapted toslide, a pivoted lever connected with said shank and adapted to forceinwardly and to withdraw the clutch-plate and connections for operatingsaid lever, consisting of a swinging handle, a vertically-adjustable nutthereon, a rod connecting said handle with said lever, and means forautomatically operating the handle consisting of a driving-shaft, acrankdisk thereon and a connecting-rod from said disk to the nut on thehandle.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES HARRISON.

Vitnesses:

S. H. NOURSE, JESSIE O. BRODIE.

